WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Michael Best Strategies is announcing a new state and federal effort to advocate for clients aiming to help public schools, private schools, parents, and community organizations improve the education of American schoolchildren.  The team, led by firm President Rob Marchant, consists of education policy experts and lobbyists from around the country, including: This core team will be supported by boots-on-the-ground lobbyists in each state in which Michael Best Strategies is engaged. This multi-state and federal initiative is focused on ensuring that policies at the state and federal level are optimized for the educational achievement of K-12 schoolchildren, regardless

MADISON – Today, Senator Melissa Agard (D-Madison), Senate Democratic Leader, participated in a White House state legislative briefing on equal pay on the eve of Equal Pay Day – March 14. Senator Melissa Agard released the following statement:  “I would like to thank President Biden for leading the fight for equal pay in the United States. It was an honor to join the countless advocates who are on the frontlines in state legislatures throughout the country working toward meaningful change. President Biden’s focus on policies that put families first and increase opportunities for women in the workforce draws stark contrast

Madison… Senator Joan Ballweg (R-Markesan) announced her plans to host in-district listening sessions on the Wisconsin State Budget. “This session I’m again serving as a member of the Joint Committee on Finance, and I look forward to working on a budget that is good for all of Wisconsin,” stated Senator Ballweg. “I look forward to talking directly with people from the 14th Senate District so I can learn about what issues they see as a priority for state funding.” Senator Ballweg will be able to meet with constituents at the locations and times listed below: Friday, March 24th 9:00am-10:00am Kilbourn Public Library

MADISON, Wis. – The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is encouraging property owners to examine their trees for egg masses of spongy moth (formerly known as gypsy moth) and plan ahead if control measures are needed. Spongy moth thrive in warm and dry weather, but even with “average” weather conditions this spring and summer, the outbreak is likely to continue and spread. The pest is considered “generally established” across most of Wisconsin, except the western part of the state. High spongy moth populations are most likely to be seen within parts of the quarantined area, but may be present in non-quarantined counties. Looking

MILWAUKEE — Well-respected Milwaukee-based labor and employment attorney Sara Geenen announced today she has earned the endorsements of more than 50 judges and elected officials in her campaign for Court of Appeals Judge in District 1.  “I worked with Sara Geenen in our law practice, and she’s not only a top-notch lawyer, she’s a top-notch human and a brilliant thinker,” said Milwaukee County Judge Jack Davila. “Sara would be a perfect fit for the Court of Appeals as someone who will make sure to interpret the law fairly and justly.”  “Our Appeals Court needs to be protected from becoming as

About a third of University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire graduates take jobs in the Chippewa Valley, a trend that is helping local businesses meet their workforce needs, according to a survey of graduates. The 2021-22 First Destination Report indicates that 32% of graduates are employed in the Chippewa Valley, with top employers including Mayo Clinic Health System, Eau Claire Area School District and Marshfield Clinic Health System. “The increase in new graduates taking jobs in the Chippewa Valley tells me UW-Eau Claire is an asset to the local economy, offering workforce talent that allows local employers to grow their businesses,” says Staci Heidtke,

MADISON, WI (March 13, 2023) — Artificial intelligence (AI) platforms seem able to do many things once considered the sole purview of humans, from holding a conversation to creating works of art. This has led to widespread speculation about its current applications and the future of humanity in the age of AI.  On the next UW Now Livestream, a panel of UW-Madison experts will discuss the future of artificial intelligence. The program will be introduced by Mike Knetter, CEO of the Wisconsin Foundation and Alumni Association. The discussion will be moderated by guest host Tom Erickson, founding director of UW-Madison’s School of

MADISON, Wis. – As part of Attorney General Josh Kaul’s 2023-2025 crime fighting budget request for the Wisconsin Department of Justice (DOJ) and in efforts to keep Wisconsin kids safe, Attorney General Kaul is calling on Wisconsin legislators to fully fund the Office of School Safety (OSS) in the next biennial budget. Wisconsin DOJ has requested 16 full time positions in OSS and roughly $2.2 million to ensure OSS can continue providing critical resources to Wisconsin schools and communities.   “The Office of School Safety has been doing great work to keep our schools safe,” said Attorney General Josh Kaul.

MADISON – Tim Fiocchi has been hired as the Senior Director of Governmental Relations by the Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation. Fiocchi has over two decades of legislative experience, most recently as Chief of Staff to State Senator Jerry Petrowski, serving Marathon, Taylor, Rusk and Sawyer counties. He has extensive experience working on agricultural, transportation and local government issues. “I’ve always enjoyed working with Farm Bureau and am excited for the opportunity to be part of a strong team working to support agriculture,” said Fiocchi. “I look forward to working with our members and state policymakers to address challenges and take

“It’s a wonderful opportunity to help lead one of America’s leading research universities, with broad strengths across the arts and humanities, social sciences, and physical, biological and mathematical sciences, along with several excellent professional schools,” says Scholz, who will begin in the new role on July 1. “It has a well-deserved reputation for innovation and excellence.” Scholz succeeds Michael Schill, who left Oregon to lead Northwestern University following Rebecca Blank’s withdrawal from that role related to her cancer diagnosis. One of Scholz’s three daughters is currently a PhD student at Oregon, studying volcanology, the science of volcanoes. “We are thrilled

MADISON, Wis. – The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and partner agencies announce the closure of a case with multiple violations, including attempted theft and illegal hunting. The investigation began in early September 2022 as a littering case. DNR Wardens on patrol for the opening day of teal and early goose season discovered two dumped car doors near a popular boat landing in Trempealeau County. A suspect was quickly identified, and DNR wardens contacted a detective in Trempealeau County to learn more about the individual. “We thought this was a simple littering case, but it morphed into so much more,”

Madison, WI – Representative Alex Dallman (R-Green Lake) met with local Sheriffs last week to discuss issues facing local law enforcement and communities in Green Lake and Marquette counties. As part of Badger Sate Sheriffs’ Association’s Spring Conference, Green Lake County Sheriff Mark A. Podoll and Marquette County Joseph R. Konrath visited Representative Dallman in Madison, Wisconsin. The Sheriffs and Rep. Dallman discussed topics such as Assembly Bill 28, which would classify county jailers as a protective occupation status under the Wisconsin Retirement System. They also discussed increased shared revenue for local municipalities, increased pay for prosecutors and staffing shortages. “I want

MADISON, Wis. – A Wisconsin resource that protects information technology (IT) systems and critical infrastructure across the state is seeing an uptick in volunteers who are ready to defend against cyber attacks. Over the past two years, the Cyber Response Team (CRT) has grown from 119 voluntary members to more than 400. A majority of those are considered general members, which allows people working in the public and private sectors to share information and get plugged into what threat indicators are occurring around the state. About 140 members also volunteer to be called in to assist when an entity is